Once again, LLAMA will sponsor two emerging leaders with travel awards of $1,000 each.Â Applicants can indicate on the application which groups they want to consider them for sponsorship.Â A list of sponsoring units is included as part of the online application.

Emerging Leaders (EL)Â is a leadership development program which enables newer library workersÂ from across the country to participate in problem-solving work groups, network with peers, gain an inside look into ALA structure, and have an opportunity to serve the profession in a leadership capacity. It putsÂ participants on the fast track to ALA committee volunteerism as well as other professional library-related organizations.

TheÂ EL program kicks off with a daylong session during the ALA Midwinter Meeting. Afterward, it grows and develops in an online learning and networking environment for six months.Â The program culminates with a poster session presentation to display the results of the project planning work of each group at the ALA Annual Conference.

Participants commit to participating in all aspects of the program.Â Â Participants may beÂ offered an opportunity to serve onÂ an ALA, division, chapter, or round table committee, taskforce or workgroup as well as other library-related groups upon completion of program.Â However, appointments are not guaranteed.

The program is limited to no more than 50 participants each year.

Selection Criteria

The selection committee seeks diversity based on geography, gender, ethnicity and type of library.Â Particular attention is given to candidates’ personal statements as well as those of their references. No more than one person from any institutionÂ can be selected for participation in the program per year.Â Preference will be given to those who do not have experience working on ALA committees, task forces, etc., andÂ to those who meet the following criteria:

Be aÂ new library professional of any age with fewer than 5 years of experience working at a professional or paraprofessional level in a library and

Be able to attend both ALA conferences and work virtually in between the two conferences and

Be prepared to commit to serve on an ALA, Division, Chapter, or Round Table committee, task force or workgroup, or your state or local libraryÂ organizationÂ upon completion of program, and

Be an ALA member, and if sponsored by an organization, a member of that organization.

For questions or more information regarding the program, contact Beatrice Calvin at bcalvin@ala.org.